WIGGLE ROOM

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven." - Matthew 19.24

People in Jesus day believed that wealthy people were spiritually better than the rest of the folk. One of the reasons was alms-giving. It was one of the responsibilities taught by the Pharisees as incumbent upon all Jews. You built your resume as a righteous man by systematically giving to the poor and rich people could give more. In addition, many of the sacrifices required in the Temple and other activities of devotion came more easily to the wealthy than the poor - because they had the resources of both time and of money. Poorer people might enjoy God's favor, what their entrance into the kingdom of heaven was more problematic.

Jesus said, "No, you have it wrong." It is precisely our material possessions and earthly position that make faithfulness to God difficult. We have more to give up in order to be obedient, sacrificial, trusting and under God's control and that "more" urges us not to let go.

A camel was a cumbersome animal when it was asked to do anything but glide across the desert. And when it carried a load on its back,it became even more awkward. The discipline, the control, the work needed to fit oneself through a small gate was a sight of hilarious proportions - and some times there was just not enough room to "wiggle through."

The more complicated the life -- complicated by possessions, personal priorities, etc. - the more difficult it is to give yourself away for Jesus' sake. There's an old proverb that says, "Cleanliness is next to godliness." In reality, simplicity is what is really next to godliness.

BOASTING ABOUT TOMORROW

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." - Proverbs 27:1


I am a planner. Each day I have a to do list that is detailed and prioritized. I keep two calendars. One is my appointments, the other my work flow planner (when I take on an assignment or project, I calculate how many hours or days and then assign that work to specific day(s) so that I can better assure its completion in a timely manner.) Sermon-wise I am generally working on a series of sermons as far as th3-5 months ahead. I pretty much could tell you not only what I intend to do today but what I need to be doing each day for the rest of the week.

Last week someone scheduled me into a meeting next week for which my presence seemed essential. Unfortunately, they did not ask me if I was available (and I was not, I'll be attending a training meeting in Houston TX that particular evening). I decided to send them my evening schedule for the next two weeks so they could take another run at scheduling their meeting. I am sure they were amazed that I had planned that far advance. They may not have been aware that I have many evening meetings, although I would prefer to plan it otherwise.

One of the realities I have had to learn, however, is that I really don't know what is going to come up each day. And I don't know what God is going to send my way each day. I have had to learn to handle my schedule loosely so I can be available for God's opportunities and/or "holy interruptions."

That doesn't mean that I drop everything for someone else's emergency. Their lack of planning doesn't make it my emergency. And I try not to throw off a prayerfully constructed schedule just because someone else gets it into their head that a project has to be completed now (which is often a result of their lack of thinking about tomorrow when they plan).

But it does mean that I should never think that because I have my life organized and planned that I have it under control. And I should never let it be an excuse for forgetting that the best schedule is under God's control.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUMMIT

Recently my church's youth director, Jeremy Moyer, took a well-deserved vacation. He went to California for R&R and to connect with friends. If you know my colleague, you will know that Jeremy doesn't veg out, he uses these times to broaden his experience and to explore new opportunities. This photo was snapped of Jeremy on a mountain top, a summit even above the clouds. I love Jeremy's perspective and his reminder.

Jesus was trying to help his disciples get a glimpse of the Big Picture of his work and to grow in their vision of what could be done. So Matthew (17.1-14) records that he took Peter, James and John up on a mountain and treated them to a totally unexpected vision. Jesus on the mountain, their Master and Teacher, was joined by Elijah and Moses. Moses was the embodiment of God's covenant community. He was the Law Bringer. Elijah was the symbol of God's prophetic power, his supernatural vision shaping history. And now there was Jesus.

Peter, in particular, was overwhelmed and yet blessed by this experience. His immediate desire was to build places of worship and to stay on that summit, savoring the moment. Yet no sooner had he proposed this than Moses and Elijah vanish.

The summit is important because in our daily lives we reduce our faith and ministry to what is possible, achievable by men. Life below the summit is slowly drained of purpose and power. The summit is the place where we are reminded of the grand design of God and His enablment of its accomplishment. But the real ministry is never at the summit - it is far below, in the every day highways and byways - in the valleys of the shadow of death. Once you've been to the summit you are often reconnected with that power and purpose, better equipped to serve God.

If you haven't been to the summit lately, find a way to get away and climb its heights. If you have been to the summit, don't forget what you saw and use it down below. You will be blessed and God will be glorified.

WINTER STORM WARNING

Reading: Romans 13.8-12

Meteorologists are tracking a winter storm that will arrive in the Mid-Atlantic region sometime this afternoon. Prodigious amounts of snowfall are forecast—up to two feet in the counties immediately below Lancaster. Eight to 12 inches here. The chance of this happening is 90%. We are preparing for the winter storm to descend upon us.

Already last night people were emptying the store shelves of bread and milk and bottled water. Schools to the west of us announced early dismissals. Most people in Lancaster hope that the expected “drive time” arrival doesn’t catch them coming home from work.

This morning at 5:30 I began working on our church’s weather plan. Major weekend storms almost always impact Sunday morning worship. We try hard not to cancel services, but to have a service—any service—requires up to 4 ½ hours after the conclusion of a storm to get the church ready to received workers and staff and then worshippers. We have adopted an alternate plan that reduces Sunday morning to one later worship service, but that necessitates some specific planning to be sure that essential staffing occurs.

People like to say, “The weather man is often wrong.” (Around here he has a name, Joe Calhoun) But that is often an excuse not to make preparations or to procrastinate in facing its necessities. When you see a storm coming, you need to plan.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we must not be too lackadaisical about the return of Christ. We never know (despite those persons who try to computerize the exact date) when it will occur. We never know when time will come to an end and God will establish the New Heaven and New Earth of eternity. We never know when the time will come we must face God’s judgment.

That’s why he says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love another …” We prepare for God’s return by doing the work of God’s love. We prepare by cooperating with God to turn us into His servants, putting aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light. We do not deny Christ’s return. We prepare for it by living NOW as if Christ’s return would be as imminent as that winter storm heading towards us.

This email devotional is published on behalf of the Church of God of Landisville and its friends. © 2010 by Stephen Dunn. All rights reserved.